China says other countries should not 'fuss' over its air force drills with Pakistan

Beijing: China on Thursday said other countries need not make a “fuss” about its ongoing military exercise with Pakistan’s air force, and that they should “learn to get used to” such routine drills. [caption id=“attachment_3969729” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Reuters[/caption] “There’s no need for some countries to overreact and make a great fuss about it. They need to learn to get used to such drills,” Shen Jinke, spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force said, without directly referring to India. The Chinese air force has deployed surveillance radar planes like the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) for the exercise. It is international practice to hold military exercises, and simulated combat training with foreign armies are necessary for troops of every country to improve their capabilities to safeguard state security and national interests, Shen was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency. The ongoing joint drills named ‘Shaheen VI’ were launched in China on 7 September and will run till 27 September. China has dispatched J-11 fighters, JH-7 fighter-bombers, KJ-200 AWACS aircraft and ground forces, including surface-to-air missile and radar troops, while Pakistan has sent JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and early warning aircraft to join the exercise. The ‘Shaheen’ joint exercise between the two militaries which maintain close relations was launched in March 2011.